A UBC paleontologist has solved the enigma of a massive bonebed in southern California by proposing that it formed over a 700,000 year time-span approximately 15 million years ago. The team found only five shark bite specimens out of over 3,000 bones and teeth analyzed, supporting the deposit-over-time theory.
Researchers at UBC found that warmer, more acidic waters enable Purple Ochre Sea Stars to grow twice as fast as normal over 10 weeks. This discovery complicates current assumptions about climate change's impact on marine species.
A legal loophole in Canada's advertising regulations has exposed Canadians to more than $90 million worth of drug ads, including those for life-threatening medications. The study found that four out of eight heavily advertised drugs had black box warnings and five had been subject to Health Canada safety advisories.
A new study finds that brain regions associated with complex problem-solving are highly active during daydreaming, challenging the long-held notion that these areas are dormant. This suggests that daydreaming may be an important cognitive state for unconsciously tackling important problems in life.
Researchers at UBC's Biomedical Research Centre have identified S1P as a molecule that can open the thymic gate for migrating stem cells. This discovery holds promise for increasing the success of blood stem cell transplants, which are currently used to treat diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have successfully controlled the spin of electrons using a ballistic technique, eliminating the need for external electric or magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and energy-efficient electronic systems, including quantum information processing devices.
Scientists reveal that half of the Universe's starlight originates from young, star-forming galaxies billions of light-years away. The discovery was made using a two-tonne telescope carried by a balloon, and analyzes data from the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope (BLAST) project.
Grapevine flowers' fragrance comes from pollen grains stored in anthers, contrary to common perception that petals produce perfume. The scent serves as a defense mechanism to protect male reproductive tissues from predatory insects.
A UBC study has shown that different species of three-spine stickleback fish can significantly impact their aquatic ecosystems within 11 weeks. The researchers created mini-ecosystems in tanks with varying species and found substantial differences in dissolved organic carbon levels, affecting plant growth and sunlight penetration.
Research suggests taking public transit can help individuals meet daily physical activity requirements by up to three times. Short walks during transit trips contribute to this increased activity level.
A new study suggests that over-dramatized fish health benefits put pressure on wild fish stocks, threatening food security in developing nations. The research highlights the need for sustainable seafood consumption and warns against 'triaging' food sources without verifying their impact.
Climate change is expected to drastically impact world fisheries, with US Atlantic cod populations projected to decline by 50% by 2050. The study, led by William Cheung, simulates changes in ocean temperature and current patterns caused by various climate scenarios.
A UBC study finds that red improves attention to detail, while blue enhances creative thinking. Red also influences consumer receptivity, favoring detailed product information over evocative messaging.
Researchers at UBC discovered a mimic of nature's antibiotic that can protect surfaces from bacteria and fungi, potentially reducing medical problems like degeneration or rejection of implants. The synthetic peptides are active when attached to surfaces, killing harmful bacteria and fungus.
Researchers have discovered lignin, a key component of wood, in marine algae, challenging the long-held assumption that it is unique to land plants. The finding provides a new perspective on the early evolution of support tissues and may affect how land plants are distinguished from aquatic algae.
A study published in Science estimates the total biomass of fish in the world's oceans at 2 billion tonnes. Fish play a significant role in mitigating climate change by maintaining the ocean's pH balance, with their calcium excretion process affecting ocean acidification.
A University of British Columbia study found that heart disease patients living in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods are more vulnerable to death from chronic diseases, particularly cancer. The researchers suggest that the trend may reflect the higher overall stress experienced by patients in low socioeconomic areas.
Researchers have identified trapped water as the cause of regular tremors under Vancouver Island, explaining episodic tremors every 14 months. The study provides a detailed glimpse into the geological mechanics beneath the island, bringing scientists closer to understanding earthquake cycles.
A team of UBC researchers found that a mysterious force known as dark energy is responsible for the acceleration of the Universe, contradicting a theory that suggested the Earth was near the center of a giant void. The study used data from various sources, including the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe satellite.
UBC researchers have discovered a gene mutation in GNAQ that is responsible for 45% of uveal melanoma cases. This finding may lead to the development of therapeutic interventions against some melanomas.
Researchers at University of British Columbia have identified hemichannels as a potential target for treating epileptic seizures caused by brain trauma or stroke. Blocking these channels may lead to the development of new therapies for epilepsy patients.
Humpback whales use a high-speed diving technique called lunge-feeding to catch prey, but this method comes with significant energy costs. The study found that lunge-feeding requires more energy and time than other behaviors, such as singing.
UBC researchers have developed a new class of ultracold plasma made from molecules, which promises to revolutionize our understanding of plasmas and their properties. The technique creates plasmas three orders of magnitude denser than those made with trapped atoms, allowing for higher levels of correlation and potentially leading to ne...
Researchers at University of British Columbia have developed a formula to predict the impact of climate change on Pacific salmon stocks. The study found that high temperatures push certain sockeye salmon stocks beyond their thermal window, resulting in cardiovascular failure and death.
A recent study found that some endangered Pacific salmon stocks are surviving as well as or better in rivers with hydroelectric dams as in those without. Researchers used acoustic telemetry technology to track juvenile salmon migration and survival rates in the Fraser and Columbia Rivers, revealing a surprising similarity between damme...
Researchers discovered that using Valproic Acid as a treatment in early stages of Alzheimer's disease reverses memory deficits, reduces plaque formation and prevents brain cell death, according to a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
The University of British Columbia and the University of California, San Diego are partnering to develop methods for sharing greenhouse gas emission data and baseline emission data for cyberinfrastructure. This partnership aims to create carbon-neutral environments through research and collaboration.
A large review of 38 studies found regular NSAID use associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Aspirin and Advil showed significant protective effects, with a 13-21% relative risk reduction.
Researchers Ara Norenzayan and Azim Shariff found that religious people are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviour when it enhances their reputation or when religious thoughts are freshly activated. This study suggests that religion played a vital role in the rise of large, stable societies by encouraging cooperation and trust.
A newly discovered developmental brain disorder has been identified, affecting a patient's ability to orient within environments. Researchers suspect that many others may be affected, leading to social isolation and reliance on others for directions. The study aims to better understand the disorder and develop rehabilitation treatments.
Small-scale fisheries, which employ over 12 million people worldwide, are being disproportionately harmed by eco-labelling initiatives and fuel subsidies. As a result, many small-scale fishers are unable to compete in the market and struggle to survive due to unfair advantages given to large-scale industrial fleets.
New research suggests that babies' early language skills are rooted in the brain's ability to recognize repetition patterns. The study found increased brain activity in response to words with repeating syllables, indicating a possible hard-wired mechanism for language acquisition.
A UBC study of Olympic athletes found that pride and shame are innate biological responses to success and failure, expressed universally across cultures. The researchers used cross-cultural data gathered at the 2004 Olympics to analyze non-verbal expressions and body language.
Social spiders have developed a unique foraging strategy that enables them to capture larger prey despite declining individual catch rates with colony size. This efficiency allows colonies to thrive in tropical areas but dwindle in higher elevations and latitudes.
A study by University of British Columbia and Stanford University researchers found that foreign threats can encourage tolerance for diversity domestically while leading to intergroup conflict internationally. Americans endorsed multiculturalism as a domestic policy and assimilation as a foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers analyzed ancient magic tricks to gain insights into human psychology, revealing the power of misdirection and illusion in shaping our perceptions. The study's findings have long-term implications for fields like human-computer interfaces, where understanding attention and perception is crucial.
UBC researchers suggest redirecting fuel subsidies from fishing fleets to re-training fishers to address the economic and environmental impact of rising fuel costs. The study found that governments spend $6.4 billion annually on fuel subsidies, which could be better spent supporting sustainable fisheries.
A team of UBC researchers developed a technique to manipulate the number of electrons on ultra-thin layers of material, enabling systematic studies of high-temperature superconductors. The approach has significant implications for future electronics, including quantum computer chips and fuel cells.
UBC and McGill researchers simulated supervolcano eruptions using Plexiglas models filled with corn syrup. The study sheds light on the complex flow effects inside a magma chamber during an eruption. A potential global nuclear winter could result from a large supervolcano eruption, causing widespread devastation and crop failures.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered how tuberculosis bacteria hide and multiply in human bodies. By identifying a key protein involved in this process, they are working towards therapies that can block its activity, leading to a more effective treatment for TB.
A University of British Columbia evolutionary biologist shows that adaptation to the environment speeds up speciation. By displacing eco-types from their host plants and protecting others, Nosil found color pattern alone can initiate speciation, while additional traits like detoxifying chemicals are needed for completion.
A UBC study and Harvard research found that spending money 'pro-socially' on gifts for others or charitable donations leads to greater reported happiness. The researchers used a nationally representative sample of Americans to test their theory that how people spend their money is at least as important as income earned.
A UBC study warns that US corn-based ethanol production will increase nitrogen levels in the Mississippi River, harming the Gulf of Mexico's 'Dead Zone'. The researchers estimate a 10-19% increase in nitrogen loading, exceeding recommended limits and overwhelming mitigation options.
Tuna populations are at risk of collapse due to overfishing and habitat destruction. UBC economist Rashid Sumaila proposes a solution by establishing cooperative management agreements between developed and developing countries.
A University of British Columbia study found that popular osteoporosis drugs like Actonel, Didrocal, and Fosamax nearly triple the risk of developing bone necrosis. Researchers also discovered that this condition primarily affects shoulders, knees, and hips.
Researchers at UBC have discovered genetic secrets that enable trees to fight off pests and disease, allowing for the development of breeding programs to repel insects like mountain pine beetles. The study's findings have important implications for the long-term health and sustainability of forests.
For the first time, astronomers have directly visualized the distribution of dark matter in a supercluster, allowing for the detection of irregular clumps and detailed shapes. This breakthrough study, led by UBC researcher Catherine Heymans, uses NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to map the Abell 901/902 supercluster.
A UBC study suggests that an ancient magma ocean may have existed beneath the Earth's surface, accounting for the discrepancy between the planet's mantle and core composition. This layer of molten rock would have stored some of the elements found in chondrite, primitive rocks from the earliest time of the solar system.
A pre-school program has been shown to improve executive functions, such as resisting distraction and focusing attention, in children from low-income families. The program, Tools of the Mind, was found to be effective in closing the achievement gap between children from poor families and those from wealthier homes.
Researchers at UBC discover a process called chromatin remodeling that allows certain cancer cells to hide from the immune system by altering the structure of chromosomes. This 'instruction manual' enables cancer cells to evade detection and grow unchecked, but the discovery may lead to new therapies within five to 10 years.